Memoirs of a Geisha

1	Sayuri's Theme 1:31
2	The Journey to the Hanamachi 4:06
3	Going to School 2:42
4	Brush on Silk 2:31
5	Chiyo's Prayer 3:36
6	Becoming a Geisha 4:52
7	Finding Satsu 3:44
8	The Chairman's Waltz 2:39
9	The Rooftops of the Hanamachi 3:49
10	The Garden Meeting 2:44
11	Dr. Crab's Prize 2:18
12	Destiny's Path 3:20
13	A New Name...A New Life 3:33
14	The Fire Scene and the Coming of War 6:48
15	As the Water... 2:01
16	Confluence 3:42
17	A Dream Discarded 2:00
18	Sayuri's Theme and End Credits 5:06

Barnes & Noble

It's rare enough for a soundtrack album to be thoroughly satisfying on its own as a musical experience, but it's rarer still to hear one that actually makes you want to rush out and see the film. Tan Dun's recent score for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon accomplished that feat, and so does John Williams's for Memoirs of a Geisha, a story based on Arthur Golden's best-selling novel, about the rise of a Japanese peasant girl to the heights of geisha society. It's no coincidence that the solo cello of Yo-Yo Ma, as expressive as the most soulful human voice, is front and center in both of these albums; Ma brings the melodies to life with such personality and passion that the narrative of the film seems to flash before your ears. Williams is an extraordinarily versatile film composer, though in recent years his Star Wars and Harry Potter scores have found him retracing familiar fantasy and science fiction terrain. In contrast, Memoirs is understated and evocative, combining Japanese and Western instruments to find uniquely appropriate sounds and colors. There are big, soaring tunes, to be sure, but they're subtly woven into the fabric of the whole in a masterful style. For fans of Ma -- and of violinist Itzhak Perlman, who provides a dramatic counterpart to Ma's cello on a few tracks -- this soundtrack is a surefire success, and Memoirs is Williams's most compelling work in years. Scott Paulin

All Music Guide

John Williams skillfully utilizes the formidable talents of renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and equally beloved violinist Itzhak Perlman to flesh out director Rob Marshall's celluloid rendering of the bestselling novel by Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha. Elegant and predictable, Williams sticks to the source, building grand Western themes off of traditional Japanese melodies with a heady mix of regional instrumentation (shakuhachi and koto) and cinematic know-how. This is the composer at his most refined and nuanced, providing a textbook example of professional composition that revels in its subject matter without ever intruding. Reverend Lee Power

Gramophone

A prestigious production to which Williams has brought his considerable artistry, along with that of his star soloists. The score is thoughtful and elegant, complementing the film's visual beauty.... The luxuriant recording enhances a fine piece of work. Adrian Edwards